“I Feel The Need, The Need For Speed…”
October 3, 2017
Anne Arundel County Fair 2021 Brings You Down to Earth!
August 2, 2021
“I Feel The Need, The Need For Speed…”
October 3, 2017
Anne Arundel County Fair 2021 Brings You Down to Earth!
August 2, 2021

It was brilliant marketing I suppose. The weather is finally perfect, it’s a three day weekend, everyone is headed to the nearest beach, boat, or bar. If you set up a few clearance sale racks in the back of the store and advertise it well, the masses will flock for the bargains. Memorial Day weekend ads flood your inbox, social media, radio & tv. It’s all good…just take a moment to remember what’s it all about.

It’s not about the discounts, and it’s NOT the day to thank a veteran for their service either. Most people mean well, but those sentiments should be conveyed on Veterans Day, and frankly, any of the other 363 days of the year, just NOT on Memorial Day.

I am the grateful daughter of WWII soldier (a Purple Heart recipient), the blessed step-daughter of a WWII Army cook, the favorite little sister of a Vietnam-era soldier, the proud Sponsor Mom of more than 100 Midshipmen/Naval & Marine Corps Officers…and the great-granddaughter of a Civil War artilleryman.

Originally known as “Decoration Day,” it was celebrated on May 30 (because that was not the actual date of any Civil War battle.) It was a day set aside to decorate the graves of the Civil War soldiers that never made it home. 620,000 to be exact.

Most every soldier, sailor, airman, guardsman, or Marine lost a brother/sister in arms. There is a spouse, a fiancé, a significant other, a child, a parent, a sibling, etc, that has a gaping hole in their heart that will never really heal.

Our sponsor family lost a hero on 10 March 2015. Ford was larger than life. He made us smile, he made us laugh, he told great stories, he imparted sage advice, his practical jokes were legendary, and gave us lasting memories.

On Memorial Day, we will raise a glass, and honor the memory of the elite MSOT 8231 (Marine Corps Special Operations Team), forever remembered as “The Raider 7”

Capt. Stanford H. Shaw III
Master Sgt. Thomas Saunders
Staff Sgt. Andrew Seif
Staff Sgt. Kerry Kemp
Staff Sgt. Liam Flynn
Staff Sgt. Trevor Blaylock
Staff Sgt. Marcus Bawol

Never Above Us, Never Below Us, Always Beside Us
#SemperFi #TilValhalla #NeverForgotten #Raider7

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